Love it or List it by U&I

August 15, 2013August 20, 2013Leave a comment

Love it or List it project:

Our new clients called Judy Boone Realty regarding the decision to list their home or fix it up. Judy called U&I Home Decorating and Staging because she knows we specialize in several options for staging and remodeling.

We discussed options and budget with the client and they decided to go with remodeling to a certain point and then decide if they were going to List it or Love it.

Plans began in Oct. 2012, finalized in Dec. 2012 and began in Jan. 2013. Several completions points where made in the remodeling projects along the way to create a listing option for the client or a re-evaluation point for them. At each point they wanted U&I to continue.

THEY LOVE IT. With the help of our supporting sub contractors, U&I have given the client a beautiful home on their waterfront property to love for many years to come.

Projects completed for the client consists of a new HVAC system with all duct work complete with gas lines, weather proofing all over, new siding and gutters, new windows, new kitchen with an open wall concept, custom table top built into cabinetry, custom radiator covers, new flooring throughout downstairs in wood and porcelain tile, new leather furnishings, lighting, art work, accessories, Karastan wool rugs, ancient marble wall color from Sherwin Williams, new Kettle sun room furnishings, Bali faux wood blinds throughout, all new closet system shelving, upholstered dining chairs in a Ikat fabric from Second Yard with matching pillows for sofa, new ceilings, a makeover to the both bathrooms; the downstairs a complete remodel, and a clean up and face lift to the landscaping; which is still in progress.

Thank you Judy Boone of Judy Boone Realty for offering U&I the role creating a complete new living environment for the happy owners.

U&I like to support LOCAL Hampton Roads employment, and offer our thanks to all of our supporting Sub Contractors: Construction with Robert Bates Construction with Bobby Bates, Larry Dudack and Michael, PSD with Shawn Ford, Mike Jagow, Mickey and Cindy with MC Bryd Flooring, Dixon Paints with Jason and the Boys, Tile work with Alan Gaskins and Chris, Electrical with Wade Casto and Floyd, WT Anderson (gutters), Sea-thru Windows, Decorum furniture, Mark Gonsenhauser (Diane Samareh), HVAC Warehouse, Lowes, Home Depot, Second Yard, Innerspace Closets, Boo butcher block, The Kellisons for miscellanous labor, and my wonderful and supporting husband Christopher Lutz for all sorts of areas in this process.

Thank You Ladies and Gents for all that you have contributed to this project and bringing my Design to life for the client.

Deborah Lutz, Owner

Before U&I Home Decorating and Staging

After U&I Home Decorating and Staging

Here is a link to the after photos in a slideshow https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=72B48645312C2A44!702

Paying it forward in the Community

April 20, 2013August 20, 2013Leave a comment

We have a community garden here in East Ocean View and yesterday was a clean up day….Thank you to everyone that came out to help…..Suzie and Mike Kellison, Chris Lutz, Dan with Operation Blessing (thanks for the photos), Steve Zollos, JoAnne Merinar of Bon Secours, Dave, lots of neighbors and others from the community. Thanks to those of Operation Blessing that came but their names slip my mind….(forgive me)…You are appreciated. It truly is a blessing to give back. Lots of smiles and laughs….It really is what life is all about! Helping others at U&I Home Decorating and Staging, Deborah

The day in the life of a Project Managing Decorator

March 9, 20131 Comment

The day in the life of a Project Managing Decorator…..

When people ask me what I do I will say “I’m an Interior Decorator”

“I’m a Landscape Designer”

I also do Home Staging with Custom Art thrown in

I hear “How exciting, I always wanted to do that for a career”

It is a rewarding career choice for me and I have to change constantly to stay up with all the new styles and ideas. Which I like that about my job.

There are some aspects of my job that people do not know and that is the Project Management side.

It is tedious, meticulous, constant, 24-7, hands on, different types of sub-contractors in one day, several location and car travel daily. Changes to the designs never fail.

It’s good thing that I am the Decorating Designer on the job to quickly approve the changes and keep the ball rolling.

The job sites must be touched in some way each day via hands on visit or phone calls to Subs, making sure everyone is showing up for work and if they are not call them to find why when and where?????

I have great set of guys that Sub Contract for me (I refer to them as THE BOYS) and even then there are always delays that can not be helped from UNFORESEENS (always). Schedules get pushed back, jobs then get pushed back, and before you know it one small cabinet not being hinged correctly has put a kink in the whole month’s schedule.

BUT that is why clients hire me….I am paid to be the calm one that presents to them solutions instead of problems, answers instead of questions, time schedules instead of delays…it’s what I do and I love it.

To my own demise at times being up all hours of the night figuring out jobs and what else needs to be done that may have slipped by me.

I am a huge note taker and have sticky notes everywhere, voice mails to myself to stay on top.

All in all it is about the client and I do my very best to give them their home back as soon as possible. All polished and new just as they imagined it Sometimes that is not the easiest part of my job…but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Loving’ my career choice and I’m getting paid to do what I love!!!! Dream big and work hard…that is the way to have success in your life.

Deborah